Chapter 15
Angela’s tears dried up in an instant, and a small smile crept onto her face. But Shelly wasn’t having any of it. She let out a sarcastic laugh, her voice dripping with disbelief. “Roy, are you seriously buying this? Those photos show Angela clear as day, and you still trust her?”
Roy turned to face Shelly, putting himself between her and Angela, his voice steady and sure. “I trust Angela. She wouldn’t do something. like this. She had a tough time abroad, and someone’s clearly trying to set her up.”
Shelly threw her hands up in exasperation, almost speechless with anger. “You’re just a pretty face with no common sense! You don’t believe me? Fine! Let’s go overseas right now, and I’ll show you who she really is!”
She reached out to drag Roy away, but he shrugged off her hand, his tone turning icy. “Enough, Shelly. If you’re here to support us, great.) But if you’re just here to stir things up, then please leave. I’m grown enough to handle my own love life.“>
Shelly’s face turned a furious shade of red, and she jabbed a finger at him. “Fine, have it your way! Just don’t come crying to me when you get played!”
With that, she stormed out, her heels clicking sharply on the floor. As soon as she was gone, Angela collapsed into Roy’s arms, her voice shaky with relief. “Roy, thank you for believing in me… I was so afraid you’d think the worst of me like everyone else…“}
Roy held her close, his voice gentle. “Don’t worry. I’ve got your back.”
Once the party wrapped up, a few of Roy’s friends gathered around, their faces etched with concern. “Roy, those photos of Angela look pretty real. Maybe you should be careful.”
Roy frowned, his annoyance clear. “Are you guys serious? Remember why I fell for her in the first place?”
They paused, memories flooding back of that sunny afternoon when Angela, not caring for her own safety, rescued a kitten stuck high up in a tree. The sight of her cradling that kitten left a lasting impression on all of them.N
The group fell silent, eventually drifting away, leaving Roy standing there with a softened expression. He clapped a few of them on the back, his voice firm. “I believe in Angela. She’s not that kind of person.”
After the party, Roy was ready to take Angela home, but she held onto his hand, a hopeful look in her eyes. “Roy, I don’t want to go home alone… Can we live together? I want to be with you.”
Roy was caught off guard, but after a pause, he nodded. “Okay.”
They drove to the villa on the west hill, Angela leaning against Roy’s shoulder, a contented smile on her face. However, inside, Roy felt a strange emptiness.}
The villa was both cozy and extravagant. Angela wandered around excitedly, marveling, “Roy, this place is amazing! Are we really gonna live here?”
Roy nodded, but his expression was distant. Watching Angela, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.
That night, after her bath, Angela approached him in a thin nightgown, her eyes filled with a subtle invitation. “Roy, maybe we could…” Roy avoided her gaze, his tone cool. “Your room’s next door. Don’t catch a chill, and get some rest.”
Angela hesitated, a flicker of disappointment crossing her face, but she soon smiled again. “Alright, I’ll head back.”
When the door closed, Roy lay in bed, eyes shut, trying to sleep. But his heart felt heavy, weighed down by something he couldn’t quite identify.
The next morning, Roy was up early, staring at the distant hills from the balcony, his mind a whirl of thoughts. Angela slipped her arms around him from behind, her voice light and teasing. “Roy, why are you up so early? Come back to bed.”
Roy gently moved her arms, his tone detached. “I’ve got some stuff to handle. You go back to sleep.” Angela watched him walk away, a shadow of worry in her eyes. She bit her lip, deciding to stay silent.
In the days that followed, they settled into living together, doing all the things couples do–cooking, watching movies, strolling in the garden. But for Roy, that nagging feeling that something was missing just wouldn’t go away. Until one day….
